Hanover Tp - No Tax Hike in 2020

From Hanover Tp - NorCo: Hanover  Township's  Board of Supervisors  unveiled  the 2020  Township  Budget,  which  maintains  the  mill  rate  at  3.9  including  a  .5  Fire  Tax.   

The  Township mill  rate  has  been  3.9  since  2008,  making 2020  the 13th year  without  a  tax  increase  in  Hanover Township.

Significant items in the 2020 Budget include the  following:

  The  funding  of  two  (2)  additional  police  officers.    The  Colonial  Regional  Police  Department will  now be  staffed  with  twenty-five  (25)  sworn officer.
  Two  (2)  2020  Chevrolet  Silverado  3500HD  4  WD  Crew  Cabs,  fully  equipped  for  the  public works department.
  Funding  for  two  (2)  replacement  roof  air  conditioning  units  for  the  Hanover  Township Volunteer  Fire  Company.
  Purchase  of  a  2020  replacement  ambulance  for  the  Hanover  Township  Volunteer  Fire Company.   Continuance  of  the  replacement  strategy  for  equipment  in  the  fitness  room  at  the  Hanover Township Community  Center.
  Continued  maintenance  of  Township  roads  with  the  overlaying  of  Stoke  Park  Road  between Jacksonville  and Schoenersville  Roads.
  Increased  security  features  at  both  the  Hanover  Township  Community  Center  and  Municipal Building.
  Upgrades  to the  Zoning  and Financial Software.
  Continuance  of  funding  reserves  for  Vehicles  &  Equipment,  Infrastructure,  Recreation  and  the unfunded MS4 requirements.

Hanover Holds Line on Taxes For 10th Straight Year

I missed Tuesday night's final meeting of the year in Hanover Township (NC). I do have the details, but want to tell you why I was MIA.

Dour and misguided blogger Michael Molovinsky has been letting me have it lately. He's been criticizing me for criticizing others, something he apparently thinks only he may do. So I stopped at his house, where I would repeatedly ring his doorbell and then hide in the bushes.

His doorbell, by the way, plays a great rendition of the Israeli National Anthem. After the third or fourth time, he started yelling, "I know it's you, O'Hare! I'm calling the cops." Remembering that the police there can be a little trigger happy with minorities, I skedaddled.

I'm black Irish, you know.

Next, I visited Allentown to watch the DeSales Bulldogs take on the Muhlenberg Mules in college hoops. Both Men's and Women's teams played. DeSales won both games. Ironically, while at Muhlenberg, I bumped into old friends from the courthouse in Easton. I told them I still have at least four years of eligibility and could play if they need me.  A former friend responded that the team would have to be renamed the DeSales Bullshit. Another friend is a Muhlenberg grad who regaled me with tales of his mischief as a student. This included ringing people's doorbells and hiding in the bushes. I reported him today, and the college is revoking his diploma.

Merry Christmas, Frank!

As for Hanover Tp, Supervisors voted unanimously to hold the line for the 10th straight year. Township Manager Jay Finnigan also cut spending by $200,000, and has no plans to borrow money for anything.

The Township currently has zero debt. It has had zero debt for at least three years now.

The millage rate, which has remained the same since 2008 and includes a fire tax of 0.5 mills, will remain 3.90 mills.

"How the hell do you do this?" I asked Finnigan.

"Magic."

Hanover Tp (NC) Introduces 10th Straight No-Tax-Hike Budget

Chair John Diacogiannis

On Tuesday night, Hanover Township (NC) Manager Jay Finnigan provided Supervisors with his proposed budget for 2019. He is recommending they hold the line on taxes for the 10th straight year. He has also cut spending by $200,000. There are also no plans to borrow money for anything.

The Township currently has zero debt.

The millage rate, which has remained the same since 2008 and includes a fire tax of 0.5 mills, will hold steady at 3.90 mills if Supervisors go along.

In other good news, Chairman John Diacogiannis announced that Hanover and Lower Nazareth Townships have reached agreement in principle with the Colonial Regional Police Department on a new contract for the officers. He expects Supervisors to vote on it at their October 23 meeting.

Supervisor Jack Nagle is in China and was absent.

"He defected," claims Public Works Director Vince Milite.

Joan Rosenthal Bowing Out of Local Government Service

Joan Rosenthal has "done it all." 

When it comes to local government, Joan Rosenthal has done it all. She's been a Northampton County Elections Commissioner off and on over the years. In Hanover Township, she's been a Supervisor, Planning Commissioner and Zoning Hearing Board member. Over the past few years, she's been trying to step aside so that others can serve. "You name it, I was on it," she has said. But not anymore. On August 28, she informed Township that she's stepping down from the Neighborhood Block Watch, another organization she managed for many years.

She told Supervisors, "We don't get a big following. ... Most people in Hanover say, 'Where's the crime?,' but they forget to lock their garage doors or their cars."

She praised the "wonderful cooperation" she's received over the years from Colonial Regional police.

As she made her way to her car after leaving the meeting, Rosenthal expressed her appreciation to Hanover Supervisors. "You know, they once gave me a day. Joan Rosenthal Appreciation Day," she said with a faint smile. "I don't know what I'll do with myself now."

I think she knows.

Rosenthal is a Republican and a steadfast member of the Lehigh Valley Tea Party. She loves to listen to their guest speakers, and defies the stereotype often painted of conservative Republicans. She's smart, informed and an eloquent speaker.

Her departure is a big loss to good government advocates, whether on the left or the right.

When Supervisors got down to business, they voted 4-0 to grant a conditional waiver to JG Petrucci, who is developing LV Flex Center at 3900 Burgess Place. Though his plan includes an infiltration system for stormwater, it is located within 50' of bedrock. He will be required t o comply with the Township Engineer's directions, and note them on his plan.

Petrucci has deposited $250,000 with the Township for any problems that result from the infiltration system. The township will hold that sum for the next 15 years.

In other business, Supervisors approved grant applications to the Commonwealth Financing Authority for a field house at First Responder Park. Public Works Director Vince Milite reported that a sinkhole opened up at the park, and it took 13 truckloads of flowable fill to close it.

Supervisors also authorized a $204,000 payment to Excellance, Inc. for a new ambulance. Manager Jay Finnigan reporter that $232,000 has been budgeted.

Road resurfacing is under way. Southland and Macada Drive have both been resurfaced. Supervisors authorized a $149,000 payment to Schlough, Inc. for the repaving work at Southland Drive.

Supervisor Susan Lawless was unavailable.

Hanover (NC) Tp Takes Aim at Warehouse Development

John Diacogiannis

A recent Lehigh Valley Planning Commission survey lists trucks, traffic congestion and warehouses as the three top negatives for Lehigh Valley residents. It's going to get worse before it gets better. A FedEx ground terminal under construction in Allen Township will be operational in September. It will be its largest distribution hub in the U.S. Between January and June of this year, there has been an explosion of 1.5 million sq ft in warehouse space in Northampton County, with another 844,000 sq ft in Lehigh County. Given its proximity to New York City and Philadelphia, the Lehigh Valley is fast becoming a warehouse magnet. What can a local government do? That was a topic of discussion for Hanover Township Supervisors at their July 24 meeting.

Chairman John Diacogiannis proposed that Hanover Township team up with eight other municipalities in preparing a regional comprehensive plan at a cost of about $12,000. Manager Jay Finnigan advised Supervisors that its current comprehensive plan is 13 years old, and is overdue for an update.

Diacogiannis urged a multi-municipal plan, authorized by state law, as the best way of dealing with the warehouse crisis. But Steve Salvesen  was opposed. He kept questioning whether this regional effort would really be a benefit to Hanover Tp. Finnigan replied that under this approach, Hanover Tp would get traffic impact fees from warehouse development "to improve our roads. ... We don't have that ability right now."

The biggest advantage to multi-municipal planning is that it allows for planning all categories of land uses across the participating municipalities. This means there's no need to permit all possible legal uses within one municipality, so long as one municipality accommodates it. Thus, some municipalities could deny warehouses so long as another municipality permits it. One municipality could refuse to permit a gentleman's club so long as another municipality provides for it.

Other advantages to multi-municipal planning is that it provides a framework for enhanced communication, sharing of municipal services and coordination when there are development proposals of regional significance.

The current multi-municipal plan serves the boroughs of Bath, Nazareth, Stockertown, and Tatamy; as well as Bushkill, Lower Nazareth, Moore and Upper Nazareth Townships.

Resident Cecil Blocker said he counted 16 trucks on Crawford Road on his way to the meeting. "This is going to be Trucksville USA soon," he complained. "We're at the end of the colon," replied Steve Salvesen, referring to truck traffic that will be coming through Hanover Township as a result of the FedEx facility.

Voting for the multi-municipal plan were Diacogiannis, Susan Lawless, Esq., and Michael Prendeville Salvesen was the dissenter. Jack Nagle was absent.

Hanover Tp (NC) Supervisors Endorse Gerrymander Reform

Cecil Blocker and his companion. She
denied she is his daughter.  

You can add Hanover Tp (Northampton County) to the list over 270 counties, cities, townships and boroughs fighting for redistricting reform in Harrisburg. At their July 24 meeting, Supervisors voted 3-1 in favor of a resolution supporting a constitutional change that will allow an independent and inclusive commission to draw the boundaries for state legislative and congressional races.

Supporting this nonbinding resolution were Susan Lawless, Michael Prendeville and John Diacogiannis. Voting No was Steve Salvesen. Jack Nagle was absent.

The vote followed a debate in which Salvesen argued that the resolution was not just "outside the Constitution of the United States and state law," but "might even be in violation of the oath of office we took."  He condemned "activist judges"on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court "who decided to become legislators" and draw their own map He said the current law is "very clear" and contains "no ambiguity."

"It very clearly has not worked," responded Lawless. Diacogiannis agreed. He acknowledged that no commission is truly independent, but it was time to try something less political. "It may turn out to be just as bad as we have it now," he said. 

Solicitor Jim Broughal advised Supervisors that nothing in the resolution is contrary to the Constitution. Salvesen acknowledged that he's no lawyer

After the vote, a group of about ten Fair Districts Pa members applauded the board. That grassroots group describes itself as a "nonpartisan, citizen-led, statewide coalition working to create a process for redistricting that is transparent, impartial, and fair."  They included Hanover Township residents Joanne Kelhart, Esq., Jean Shenk and Cecil Blocker.

"My vote doesn't count," said Blocker. "I find that to be unacceptable."

As Supervisors turned to other items on the agenda, most of this citizens' group melted away. Salvesen, a veteran of many political firestorms in his career, said that he had driven them off, and jokingly threatened to bring the matter up again once they were gone.

Bath to Leave Colonial Regional Police Six Months Sooner Than Expected

At their April 10 meeting, Hanover Township Supervisors unanimously approved an agreement that will allow Bath Borough to leave the Colonial Regional Police Department six months sooner than was expected. Under its contract, Bath was required to continue using the services of Colonial Regional until January 1, 2019. But at Bath's request, its separation from the regional police department will be accelerated to July 1, 2018. Bath will still be required to pay Colonial Regional $242,714.88. It will also pay $92.26 per hour for contract services.

Colonial Regional will continue to provide police coverage for Hanover and Lower Nazareth Townships. The cost for police coverage will be based in an apportionment formula based assessed property valuation (30%), municipal population (30%) and the number of incidents (40%).

"This has been a long haul," said Chair John Diacogiannis.

In more pleasant news, outside auditor Todd Bushta has given the Township a clean bill of financial health again, a clean and unqualified opinion. "The Township is doing a fine job with the financial staff it has," said Bushta.

Highlights from the report reveal that the Township is debt free. There is also no deficit spending. It spends less than it takes in, and was sitting on over $5 million in unrestricted cash and investments at the end of last year. Manager Jay Finnigan has previously credited the 0.5 mill fire tax for enabling him to plan ahead.

The audit is now available on the Township website. In an effort to be more transparent, back-up documents to agenda items are also on the website.

As winter has ended, Public Works Director Vince Milite and his crew have started street sweeping. They plan to hit each street twice.

Supervisors will meet again on April 24, 7 pm, at the municipal building located at 3630 Jacksonville Road.

Hanover Holds Line on Taxes For Ninth Straight Year

Blogger's Note: Because I was sidelined by basketball, I was unable to tell you about Hanover Township's final meeting of the year on Tuesday night. Fortunately, Agent 25 was there. Below is his/her report, lightly edited.

Mark Tanczos commended by John Diacogiannis

Hanover Township (Northampton County) Supervisors, at their final meeting of the year on December 19, adopted a 2018 budget that will maintain a stable tax rate and spare residents a tax hike.

The millage rate, which has remained the same since 2008 and includes a fire tax of 0.5 mills, will hold steady at 3.90 mills. The township is expected to receive $2.1 million from property taxes next year. The Earned Income Tax and local Services Tax will be 1 percent and $52, respectively. The balanced general fund is estimated to have $8.6 million on hand in 2018, which represents a $20,579.00 decrease from last year.

In other business, the board unanimously passed an ordinance establishing a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights provides taxpayers with a procedure to contest the imposition of Act 511 taxes if they believe they were unfairly charged. The ordinance covers the Per Capita Tax, Business Privilege Tax and the Earned Income Tax.

H.A. Berkheimer, Inc. collects the township’s Per Capita and Business Privilege taxes. Keystone Collections Group collects residents’ Earned Income Taxes. Residents can request a copy of their rights from the collection agencies, at no charge, according to the ordinance.
If one of the collection agencies decides that a resident owes additional taxes, it must inform residents in writing why it reached the decision, including the amount due and the legal grounds for the decision.

If it is determined that a resident owes additional taxes or if a resident’s request for a tax refund is denied, the resident can file a petition with Keystone or Berkheimer to appeal the decision.

The board also passed unanimously an ordinance rewarding volunteer firefighters with tax credits, similar to an ordinance adopted in Bethlehem Tp.

Joan Rosenthal honored for her service. 

The Board recognized Vice Chairman Mark J. Tanczos for his service to the Township. Supervisor Tanczos decided not to seek reelection this past November. Mr. Tanczos served on the Township’s Planning Commission from June 21, 1993 as Vice Chair 2000-2002 and Chair 2002-2008. In 2008 he was appointed to the Board to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Frank Colon and was elected to an additional term.

Finally, the Board recognized Joan R. Rosenthal for her service to the Township. Mrs. Rosenthal is stepping down from the Zoning Hearing Board at the end of the year. Mrs. Rosenthal served on the Hanover Township Planning Commission from October 9, 1979 through October 21, 1984; on the Hanover Township Zoning Hearing Board from January 3, 1984 through January 27, 1987; and again May 23, 2000 through December 31, 2017. She was also a member of the Board of Supervisors from January 27, 1987 through January 3, 2010.

Hanover Tp Taxes To Remain Steady Next Year

Taxes in Hanover Township next year will remain the same as this year under a budget recently proposed by Manager Jay Finnigan. I'll have details after reviewing the budget and attending a budget  hearing

Sun Inn Gets Clearance For Distillery in Hanover Tp

According to the historic Sun Inn's webpage, alcohol was a staple of Colonial-era America. It hopes to replicate that time with Christmas City Spirits. Unanimously, Hanover Township Supervisors voted last night to allow Christmas City Spirits to operate a distillery at 167 N Commerce Way. These beverages will supply a tavern whose guest list at one time boasted George Washington, Martha Washington, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Samuel Adams, Ethan Allen, Alexander Hamilton, Henry Laurens, Richard Lee and Marquis de Lafayette.

It will be a distillery only. There will be no tasting room or retail sales. As explained by Attorney Mike Santanasto, you'll find those at the Sun Inn.

He and fellow distiller Brett Biggs, both of whom are Bethlehem Catholic grads, still need approvals from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board and the federal Tax and Trade Bureau. But once that happens, Christmas City Spirits will be in business.

Why I Like Hanover Tp So Much

Though most of you consider me a harsh critic of local government, I'll let you in on a little secret. Most of them are quite good, thanks to committed employees and elected officials who care deeply about their communities. Hanover Township is perhaps the best run of them all, and the picture you see above explains why. The choicest parking spot at the municipal building is reserved for wounded warriors.

I was there last night to cover a Supervisors' meeting that actually took place a week ago. I do that sort of thing, which explains why I'm far from the best reporter.

I was so blown away by this sign that I called Manager Jay Finnigan. He said it was just installed that day, along with another at the community center. Finnigan refused to take credit. He said they were seen in Colorado and he considered them "appropriate and deserving for those who served."

Hanover Tp To Celebrate Armed Forces Day This Saturday

Hanover Township, Northampton County is hosting their Armed Forces Day event on Saturday, May 20 at 10 AM at Armed Services Park (Hanoverville Road and Route 512). LTC Timothy A. Brooks of the PA National Guard will provide remarks for the occasion. I encourage all to attend and join in honoring those who have served and continue to serve our great nation.

No Wild Turkey at Turkey Hill

Steve Salvesen

You might be able to buy booze at Wegmans or Weiss. But by a 3 to 1 vote at their May 9 meeting, Hanover Township Supervisors voted down an ordinance that would have approved the transfer of a liquor license to a high-end Turkey Hill gas station located at Sterners Way. Mark Tanczos, who owns a beer distributorship, recused himself. The sole Yes vote was cast by John Diacogiannis. Jack Nagle, Steve Salvesen and Michael Prendeville voted No.

Each Supervisor explained his vote. Salvesen said that he supported alcohol sales at Wegmans and Weiss because there was testimony from both of those stores that there would be 24 hour supervision of the alcoholic beverages sold there,but no such assurance was made by Turkey Hill, a gas station that hires part-time people. He said there were too many avenues for abuse.

Nagle said it comes down to common sense and thinking about the "health and well-being of our Township." He said that, contrary to testimony offered at a hearing two weeks before, a convenience store like Turkey Hill is a destination for people who want to get a quick can of soda or jug of milk. He said permitting alcohol sales at a gas station "goes totally against what's been going on in this nation for the last 30 years, with Mothers Against Drunk Driving and the National Transportation Safety Authority. ... For me, to permit alcohol to be consumed at a place that dispenses gasoline is literally like throwing gasoline on a fire."

John Diacogiannis

Prendeville said the density of alcohol licenses "contributes in a very detrimental way to neighborhoods." He said he would be uncomfortable sending his children to get a gallon of milk at Turkey Hill at 1 am and have them compete against people trying to buy and drink alcohol at a gas station because other bars have closed. "The potential risk far outweighs any reward in my mind," he concluded. "It has the potential to introduce problems that have already overburdened our police department and first responders."

Diacogiannis, unlike his fellow Supervisors, voted to approve the liquor license transfer. He reasoned that the state legislature has expanded sales to gas stations. "This decision has already been made by the state," he said. "It's really not our part to make these decisions."

Finnigan later noted that there were also concerns whether parking would be adequate for this new use, but there was no plan to review.

Though Supervisors denied a liquor license transfer to Turkey Hill, they unanimously approved changes to their zoning ordinance that would permit distilleries, brew pubs and wineries at certain places within the Township. Solicitor Jim Broughal explained the reason for this ordinance. If you don't put this in your ordinance, your neighbor can put a distillery in his house," he explained. "You are required by law to provide for every use we know about. If you don't, it's exclusionary zoning."

They also adopted an ordinance banning invasive bamboo, joining a number of other Lehigh Valley municipalities that have followed Bethlehem Township's lead in banning or regulating this legal immigrant from southeast China.

Invasive or running bamboo is actually a grass and is recognized by the Pa. Department of Conservation and Natural Resources as one of the fastest growing and most invasive plants in the world. According to a study by the Institute of Invasive Bamboo Research, running bamboo even survived the Hiroshima bomb.
Throughout Pennsylvania, 19 communities have adopted bamboo ordinances. Some, like Douglass Township, have imposed a ban on this grass,which can reach a height of .

A Cumberland County Court has declared running bamboo a "vegetative nuisance" The court reasoned that urban living includes certain responsibilities, including a responsibility to take precautions against invasive plants that encroach upon another person's property.

Supervisors endorsed the bamboo ban in a 4 to 1 vote. Once again, John Diacogiannis was the sole dissenter. He called it an "invasion of individual property rights." He said this is a matter that neighbors should handle between themselves, although some neighbors can be unreasonable. He said he doesn't like invasive bamboo, wither, but is opposed to an ordinance "for every single little thing."

"I'm planting it!" joked a resident who earlier that evening had complained about an unreasonable neighbor."I gotta' go."

 In an unusually busy night, Supervisors also approved the vacation of paper streets laid out on property owned by the Earl Kunsman family, near Bath Pike. Prominent Bethlehem Attorney Jim Holzinger advised Supervisors that he was unable to ascertain that these roads ever existed or were accepted by the Township,but are referred to in the deeds.

Finally, Bill Vogler asked Supervisors to do something about sinkholes.He recognized that "we live on Swiss cheese, but said sinkholes caused by water main breaks are different than those that occur naturally. Several water companies have infrastructure in the Township, according to Diacogiannis.

Vogler and Finnigan discussed the situation after the meeting.

Finnigan Tormented on 60th Birthday

Hanover Township Manager Jay Finnigan celebrated his 60th birthday on Monday. Quietly. That changed Tuesday night. Supervisors decided to draw attention to Finnigan's sixth decade on earth with both balloons and insults.

"Is that his age or IQ?" wisecracked Solicitor Jim Broughal. "His IQ isn't rising," answered Jack Nagle.
  

Will Hanover's Turkey Hill Sell Wild Turkey?

Mark Tanzcos

Will you soon be able to pick up a six-pack at the Hanover Township Turkey Hill? Or stop there for one or two beers? That's a question Hanover Township Supervisors pondered at their April 25 meeting.

Attorney Mark Kozar of the Pittsburgh law firm Flaherty and O'Hara asked Supervisors to approve a license transfer to the Turkey Hill located at 6220 Sterners Way saying it would basically be the same thing as exists at Wegmans and Weiss. "What you see there you will see at a smaller scale at Turkey Hill," he predicted.

But Mark Tanczos, who recused himself from the Board on this decision, was fiercely opposed. His family owns a beer distributor. He said the Township is already over the quota permitted for these licenses. One is permitted for every 3,000 people, and Hanover Township already has eight of them in a Township with only 11,000 people. He produced pictures of other gas stations that make alcoholic slushies, and warned of unsupervised minors hanging around a gas station that sells alcohol.

Supervisors will decide on this request at their May 9 meeting.

Cathy Haire

In other business, Hanover Township resident Cathy Haire asked Supervisors for help in dealing with the noise from low flights by Amazon's Prime Air at Lehigh Valley International Airport. Admitting that she bought a home knowing the airport is there, she said recent changes in flight patterns have made life unbearable. "We're getting bombarded," she claimed.

Haire stated that one recent flight was so low that she actually ducked. "I thought it was going to crash into the house," she said. "You do such a beautiful job of taking care of the Township," but asked them to send the airport a letter.

"I've been fighting this for 30 years," said Steve Salvesen, noting that everyone of them lives in the flight path. He has even gone so far as to photograph low flights that the airport insisted did not exist.

Manager Jay Finnigan told Haire that pilots have discretion to fly low, and that local airports like Lehigh Valley International must be open 24/7. But the Board will send a letter, and Salvesen said he'd try to enlist the support of Congressman Charlie Dentand Senator Pat Toomey.

Hanover Township Warned About The Green Menace

As the snow melts away and temperatures slowly rise, Hanover Township's Public Works Director Vince Milite is preparing to start sweeping the roads on April 3. Manager Jay Finnigan is preparing for the dedication of First Responder Park on April 29 and the celebration of Armed Forces Day on May 20. But Blair Bates of the Shade Tree Advisory Board warned Supervisors at their March 28 meeting that it's also time to prepare for something far more sinister - the Green Menace.

You won't see the Green Menace in the next round of super hero movies making their way through the theatres. You may not see it at all. But it's here. And it's a killer.

The Green Menace is a nickname the US Department of Agriculture has given to the emerald ash borer, a tiny illegal immigrant that made its way here from China and eastern Asia. First identified in Michigan in 2002, this insect is responsible for the death or decline of tens of millions of ash trees in 13 states, including Pennsylvania. In the Keystone State,over 308 million trees providing 3.6% of the forest cover are at risk. The insects,which are metallic green and only about a half inch long, are active from May until August. They only infest ash trees.

A Green Menace infestation is always fatal.to ash trees, which decline from top to bottom and are dead in three years.

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) recommends community management plans that include tree inventories, removal of infected trees and preventive treatment. Lancaster and West Chester are two municipalities with management plans that include selective removal of damaged ash trees.

Bates asked Supervisors to make Hanover residents of the danger to ash trees posed by the emerald ash borer, and to discourage residents from planting them. He also suggested that the Township notify each resident who owns an ash tree.

Homeowners with high-value ash trees can purchase insecticides, which need to be applied regularly. In addition, the Department of Agriculture has the following recommendations: (1) Don't move firewood; (2) Visually inspect your trees for signs of decline; (3) Spread the word; and (4) Report infestations to the Pa Department of Agriculture at 866-253-7189 or by email to Badbug@state.pa.us .

Nationwide Is On Your Side in Hanover Judge Race

There are now three attorneys who wish to succeed Magisterial District Judge Jim Narlesky when he retires at the end of this year. Paul Schaffer, who lives in Hanover Township resident with his wife Susan, declared his candidacy yesterday. The magisterial district includes Hanover Township and Bethlehem’s 14th ward.

Schaffer is a graduated from Ohio Northern University School of Law, where he served on Law Review. Admitted to practice law in Pennsylvania in 1981, he worked with Scherline and Associates until 1995. He was then hired by Nationwide Insurance as an in-house trial counsel. Though his office is in Plymouth Meeting, he told me he's only there about three times a month. He mostly works out of his home. Since then, he has had an active litigation practice in the Lehigh Valley.

Bethlehem Attorneys Vivian Zumas and Michael Recchiuti have also announced their candidacy.

Hanover Tp Approves No-Tax-Hike Budget Next Year

At its final meeting of the year on December 20, Hanover Township Supervisors unanimously adopted an $8.4 million spending plan next year that holds the line on taxes for the ninth year in a row. The millage rate, 3.90, includes a 0.5 mill "fire tax" started in 2008 to defray the costs of planned capital projects. Saving worked, and Hanover eliminated all of its debt two years ago.

A home assessed at $100,000 will get a $390 Township tax bill, compared to $709 in Bethlehem Township or $825 in Palmer Township.

Hanover Township's real estate tax is lower than any other municipality in Northampton County excepting Moore Township, where the millage rate is 4.0. Moore Township is only $310,000 in debt, according to state records.  



   

Plastic Container Maker Gets Break in Hanover Tp

Scott Bosco and Keith Lawler

DevTech, a plastic container manufacturer, recently leased a new 120,000 sq ft facility at 5210 Jaindl Boulevard in Hanover Township. It was lured here by the state Department of Community and Economic Development and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation with a $150,000 Pennsylvania First Program grant, $96,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and $21,600 in state funding for employee training. The company is spending $18 million on this venture, and expects to create 32 jobs. But the company was before Hanover Township supervisors on November 22 to discuss plans for four silos and two coolers next to the manufacturing facility.

The company already has plan approval, but the addition of four silos and two coolers could be regarded as a new plan. Keystone Consulting Engineer Keith Lawler and developer Scott Bosco asked Supervisors to waive any requirement fora new plan. the silos will be 10' in diameter and 42' high, the same as the building. They will be used to store plastic preforms. The coolers will simply circulate water to cool plastic as it is made. There will be no explosive material and they will be hidden from public view. Township engineer Jim Milot and Solicitor Wendy Nicolosi raised no concerns.

Supervisors John N. Diacogiannis, Mark J. Tanczos and Michael J. Prendeville voted to grant a waiver from land development. Prendeville, who crafted the motion, conditioned the relief on removal of the silos and coolers should DevTech re-locate. Bosco told Prendeville that DevTech has a long-term lease.

Supervisors Stephen R. Salvesen and John D. Nagle were absent.

In other business, Supervisors amended the zoning ordinance to provide for brew pubs in certain districts. They also added a shared parking ordinance similar to what exists in Bethlehem.

Public Works Director Vince Milite's road crew has been busy picking up leaves. Four trucks are on the road for ten hours on weekdays and eight hours on Saturdays.

One of the final items considered was with a disc jockey for a cheerleading tournament at the community center.

"Any questions?" asked Prendeville.

"I hope not because the tournament was last Saturday," answered Manager Jay Finnigan.

No Sidewalks at Wawa Hit-and-Run on Schoenersville Road

I'm currently covering the trial of Royce Atkins for a few of the weekly Press papers. He's been charged with failure to stop and render assistance when the car he was driving struck and killed 9 year old Darious Condash, almost exactly one year ago. I have no intention of discussing the fatality itself, but want to talk about something else.

Sidewalks.

On Tuesday, after the trial was over for the day, I visited the WaWa at Schoenersville Road. which is where this tragedy occurred. I saw a little roadside memorial for Darious, including the football helmet he wore as an East Side football player.

What I also noticed is a complete absence of sidewalks, on either side of the street. There's a crosswalk about a quarter mile south from the WaWa, but without sidewalks leading up to it, it's totally useless  Noone is going to walk on uneven ground to get to a crosswalk.

Given that the WaWa is relatively new, why no sidewalks? The answer is that greedy developers get sidewalk waivers or deferrals because they want to maximize profit.

The Schoenersville Road WaWa is supposed to close for about a month in July for a $1 million facelift. Maybe the store should spend a few bucks on sidewalks and save a life.